Space Invaders '95
Manufacturer: Taito
Year: 1995

Other versions
Akkanvader (Japan) 1995

first Round

This version from the Space Invaders series is absolutely the most ironic, colorful, and funny, with graphics and sound totally remade, but keeping the same game scheme. After having inserted our coin, you choose the character you want to play with: each of them has got its own spaceship and an extra weapon in addiction to the default one. It's possible to play in two persons at the same time.
To drive away UFO and save Planet Earth we have to defeat invaders during 5 rounds divided in several stages (32 in total), inside of which we'll find a bonus stage and we'll have to fight with the end of round boss.
First round starts with the already seen space invasion by aliens in 4 rows, graphics are the same as in 1978, to protect ourselves we have 4 barriers, but, after a few seconds... The transformation! The monochromatic space invaders are now funny and colorful aliens! But, careful, never judge by appearances: they are better trained than their predecessors! In certain points of the game it will be nearly impossible to avoid the so many shots coming down; it's not an easy way to arrive to the last round!

At the bottom of the screen, under our hero, there's a bar indicating the loading state of the additional weapon. Keep pushed fire button and leave it when the indicator shows the maximum load and you'll have a single shot with devastating effects for the unlucky aliens.
Characters to drive are quite weird: we can find a dog in a stood shooting bones, a modern version of the first Space Invaders tank wearing shoes, a rock, a robot shaped as a Japanese amulet (with an additional weapon extremely powerful), and the space ship Silver-Hawk from Darius.
At the end of first round (Space-Carrier) we'll have to face a huge robot trying to hit us with a burst of bullets and with big metal spheres, and, when it will start running it's because it's going to call three rows of invaders to help. Entering the following round (Gourmet Star) the boss is the huge ship 106780 Yamato, a terrific battleship with a ramshackle look, equipped with laser cannon, driven by a prawn and a big squid and the huge battleship Fossil A from Darius. In third round (Summer-Star) the boss is a lobster-girl designed in manga style who lives on a small island with hanging out washing. Fourth round is the Ghost-Star with a space ghost to destroy.

Summer Star boss
UFO attack

Passed this round with a horror atmosphere we arrive to the fifth and last round (Mother-Star) where we face an enormous robot looking like the first Space Invaders one, driven by King UFO. The robot is equipped with laser cannons, extensible arms, and from the eyes shoots pieces of Tetris wall. Once defeated it, King UFO will escape with all its space creatures, giving in with the Earth invasion. Wondering if there will be a sequel!
The features taken from the old Space Invaders are: spaceship at the top of the screen flying from left to right (Mother-ship) and the fact that if aliens come down under the barriers there will be an invasion and we'll lose one life.
As in Super Space Invaders 91 sometimes from the Mother-ship an arm will fall down, and, picked it up, it can be used against enemies. It will happen to pick up a bowling ball, and, by throwing it away, it will sweep away all enemies on its way. Other weapons are: a bullet loader allowing to shoot in rapid session and a bomb that will make exploding everything inside its ray. Another object that we can pick up is a watch that will stop time for a few seconds. Hit Mother-ship will fall over and, if shot again, will explode; if an alien will happen to be near the explosion will we destroyed as well.

Among the weirdest situations in this game I mark out Summer star where aliens arrive by sea in a life belt, then they go to the beach, sheltering themselves from our shots in holes in the sand, behind palms or small heaps of sand. In fourth round, Ghost Star, boss brings back to life the 78's Space Invaders, on which we can see the scanlines!
The variety of aliens in this game is impressive, together with the many innovations; probably the most conservative Space Invaders fans won't like this version, but certainly all the other will appreciate it, on condition that they are keen on these kind of games.

final Boss: a big invader
final screen the end

the end

 

Ratings

PRESENTATION: 81%

GRAPHICS: 92%

SOUND: 75%

ORIGINALITY: 89%

HOOKABILITY: 83%

LASTABILITY: 72%


OVERALL: 86%

Zaxxon1Demo-play, score table, characters presentation and final sequence are all colorful and in cartoon style, definitely good. Graphically original, with many characters, colorful and funny, smooth and fast animation, nice backgrounds, even if sometimes the contrast among colors can create confusion, as for example in bonus stage round 1.
At last a Space Invaders with a good sound and great sound effects, anyway there isn't much variety. Game is always the same (shoot the invaders), but, this time Taito has introduced many news, the most evident are: new graphics, sound, and the chance to choose the character to move. It's always the same Space Invaders, proposed in a more attractive style, so it isn't difficult to get hooked. 5 rounds to get to the end, you'll need much time to end the game!
To sum up, great game!

Roy JonesA short demo will show you a few scheme clips.
With a funny Japanese style, this game is at last in a high spirit, missing to its predecessors.
Shots sound effects are quite poor, but the background music is very cheerful and the different characters to select are deffinately fabulous.
Finally something different in the game roots: each scheme has really concrete differences from the others, bonus stage and end of round bosses (don't forget the chance to play in two persons!!!) give it a touch of vertical scrolling shooter, that make it stepping out of the lines.
All the innovations spur also the most skeptical ones of this game (like me) to play once.
Although it's a nice game, I don't think that once finished you will feel like playing it again immediately...
If you weren't satisfied with the previous titles, try this: you might change idea.

LilianaPresentation is one of the best ones so far. Game has the manga style that add something special and a jolly atmosphere. Wide selection of characters to choose, each with different features. Sound is good, as well as sound effects. Sometimes there is too much confusions among vivid colours, characters, invaders, flying bullets...
Yes, it's a game that added some color and liveliness to an old classic game.

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